2023: Ex-Gov, Rashidi Ladoja, CP. Adebowale Williams Call For Peaceful Polls, As Oyo Guber Candidates Sign Peace Pact
By Kazeem Awojoodu, Ibadan
Senator Rashidi Ladoja and CP. Adebowale Williams have urged politicians to shun violence and embrace peace at the forthcoming general elections.
Naijanewshub.com.ng reports that there is no doubt that the Oyo State Police Command is working to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the state come 2023 general elections.
The state command under the able leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP. Adebowale Williams on Friday played host to all the governorship candidates in the state for signing of the Peace Pact.
The Peace Pact was signed at the Police Command Headquaters Eleyele Ibadan, the Capital City of Oyo State in the presence of the state Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, and other heads of security agencies, by the state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde who is seeking reelection into office under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party’s governorship candidate, Adebayo Adelabu and others.
Others governorship candidates who signed the peace Pact are the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Teslim Folarin, who was represented by his Deputy, David Okunlola.
The Labour Party candidate, Taofeek Akinwale, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Popolola Joshua, Action Alliance, Olaniyi Adekinge, ADP, Akeem Yusuf , among others.
The Peace Pact signing event also had in attendant the convener, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, traditional rulers and religions leaders among other dignitaries.
In his address, CP. Adebowale Williams said the signing of the peace accord was a guide designed and undertaking to keep peace and good conduct among Political Actors and their Supporters before, during and after the 2023 General Election.
He said that the event also marks the official activation of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security driven by the mandate of providing a safe and secure environment for peaceful elections come 2023.
Adebowale said there was the need for repeated emphasis on a peaceful electioneering process before, during and after the exercise and called on parties, their candidates and supporters to be guided by the guidelines for political rallies recently released by INEC.
“The Command and indeed the security space is concerned about the disturbing extremities and desperation displayed by some Political Gladiators. Recently, Oyo State witnessed needless destruction of billboards and defacing of posters of opposing aspirants to stir up provocations and bloody reprisals but for the prompt intervention of security operatives,” he said.
He enjoined the candidates and their supporters to ensure issue-based campaigns at all levels void of religious, ethnic and tribal incitement.
The Chief Convener, Peace Accord, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, called on the candidates to take the signing of the Peace Pact seriously and ensured there was peaceful campaign before,during and after the election.
Ladoja said that there could neither be election where there is no peace and enjoined them to shun bill board vandalisation.
The Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC,Dr Rahmon Adeniran,said that said the commissioner was ever ready to conduct fair, free and credible election.
Adeniran said the total polling units in Oyo State stood at 6,390 while about 340, 938 remain valid registrants out of the 396,229 fresh registration leaving about 55,291invalid registrants.
He said the Collection of PVCs is on and a total of 743,693 PVCs remained uncollected by registrants in Oyo State.
The REC further appealed to political parties and their candidates to remain civil and devoid abusive languages during their campaign activities.
Makinde, Adelabu and other governorship candidates in Oyo State pledged to abide by the peace accord saying event was a wake up call to them and their supporters to be peaceful before, during and after the elections.